• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.426-438
• /
• 2020

In this study, cherry kernel shell pyrolytic charcoal was synthesized (CKSC) and composite beads were obtained by blending this pyrolytic charcoal with chitosan and Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles (Fe-C-CKSC). Cr(VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions by Fe-C-CKSC composite beads and CKSC adsorbents was studied comparatively. The effects of Cr(VI) initial concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and temperature parameters on Cr(VI) adsorption were investigated. Adsorption reached an equilibrium point within 120 min for CKSC and Fe-C-CKSC adsorbents. The maximum Cr(VI) removal was obtained at the initial pH value of 1.56 for CKSC and 2.00 for Fe-C-CKSC. The optimum adsorbent dosage was found to be 5 g/L for CKSC and 3 g/L for Fe-C-CKSC. Based on the Langmuir model, the maximum adsorption capacities were calculated as 14.455 mg/g and 47.576 mg/g for CKSC and Fe-C-CKSC, respectively. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies were performed. As a result of adsorption kinetics calculations, adsorption was found to be consistent with the pseudo second order kinetic model. Characterization of the synthesized adsorbents was performed by SEM, BET, FTIR and elemental analysis. This study has shown that low cost adsorbents CKSC and Fe-C-CKSC can be used in Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions.

• Mycobiology
• /
• v.48 no.5
• /
• pp.383-391
• /
• 2020

Use of nanoparticles (NPs) in several commercial products has led to emergence of novel contaminants of air, soil and water bodies. The NPs may exhibit greater ecotoxicity due to nano-scale dependent properties over their bulk counterparts. The present investigation explores the effect of in vitro supplementation of TiO₂, silica and silver NPs on radial growth and ultrastructural changes in the hyphae and spores of two mushroom genera, Ganoderma lucidum and Volvariella volvaceae. A concentration dependent decrease in radial growth on NP amended potato dextrose agar medium was recorded. However, in comparison to control, there was decrease in radial diameter on supplementation with TiO₂ NPs while an increase was recorded for silica and silver NPs amendments as compared to their bulk salts at same concentrations after 48 h of incubation. Optical microscopy studies showed decrease in the number of spores while increase in spore diameter and thinning of hyphal diameter on NPs supplementation. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of fungal growth showed presence of deflated and oblong spores in two fruiting strains of Ganoderma while Volvariella exhibited decreased sporulation. Further, hyphal thinning and branching was recorded in response to NP amendments in both the test mushrooms. Enhancement of protein content was observed on NP compared to bulk supplementation for all cultures, concentrations and hours of incubation except for TiO₂ NPs. Likewise, bulk and NP supplementations (at 100 mg L^-1) resulted in enhanced laccase activity with occurrence of laccase specific protein bands on SDS-PAGE analysis.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.31 no.11
• /
• pp.3093-3098
• /
• 2010

The core-shell $SnO_2$@AO (A=Ni, Cu, Zn and Mg) films were prepared and the effects of coatings on photovoltaic properties were investigated. Studies on X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of divalent oxides on the surface of $SnO_2$ nanoparticles. It was commonly observed that all the dye-sensitized core-shell films exhibited higher photovoltage than the bare $SnO_2$ film. Transient photovoltage measurements confirmed that the improved photovoltages were related to the decreased time constants for electron recombination.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• v.32 no.7
• /
• pp.2217-2221
• /
• 2011

We investigated the selective deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) adsorption on layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles via studying the interaction between positively charged LDH nanoparticle as adsorbent and negatively charged adsorbates such as methyl orange (MO), fluorescein (FL), and DNA strands. The size controlled LDH $(Mg_{0.78}Al_{0.22}(OH)_2(CO_3)_{0.11}{\cdot}mH_2O)$ was prepared by conventional coprecipitation method, followed by the hydrothermal treatment. According to the adsorption isotherms, the adsorbed amounts of MO and FL were similar, however, that of DNA were much larger. The adsorption behaviors were well fitted to Freundlich adsorption model. The concentration dependent adsorption behavior on LDH surface was described in order to verify the selective DNA separation ability. The result showed that the LDH has advantages in selective adsorption of DNA competing with single molecular anions.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.42 no.1
• /
• pp.27-33
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Alumina nanoparticles ($Al_2O_3$, Al-NPs) are used for various purposes, including as coating agents and paint additives. Their potential toxicity has raised concern for human health. This study focuses on exploring the toxic effects on the brain and kidneys caused by Al-NPs exposure in rats. Methods: The animals were orally administered Al-NPs at 10, 50 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 28 days following OECD TG 407. To determine the targeted toxicity of Al-NPs, histopathological examination and gene expression analysis were conducted on the rats. Results: The Al-NPs treatment induced kidney tubular dilatation. In the rat cerebrums, the expression levels of 126 genes experienced two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in cell differentiation, transcription and signal transduction. In the rat kidneys, the expression levels of 152 genes also showed two-fold or greater increases in response to Al-NPs, including other genes encoding proteins involved in apoptosis, transcription and signal transduction. Conclusion: These results suggest that exposure to Al-NPs influences cellular signal pathways of kidney and cerebrum, and it can be a toxic indicators of nanometrials.

• Progress in Superconductivity and Cryogenics
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.41-45
• /
• 2018

We have investigated the effect of $Y_2O_3$ nanoparticles on the pinning properties of $Y_2O_3$-doped $GdBa_2Cu_3O_{7-{\delta}}$ (GdBCO) films. Both undoped and $Y_2O_3$-doped GdBCO films were grown on $CeO_2$-buffered MgO (100) single crystal substrates by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using KrF (${\lambda}=248nm$) laser. The $Y_2O_3$ doping contents were controlled up to ~ 2.5 area% by varying the internal angles of $Y_2O_3$ sectors put on the top surface of GdBCO target. Compared with the $Gd_2O_3$-doped GdBCO films previously reported by our group [1], the $Y_2O_3$-doped GdBCO films exhibited less severe critical temperature ($T_c$) drop and thus slightly enhanced critical current densities ($J_c$) and pinning force densities ($F_p$) at 65 K for the applied field parallel to the c-axis of the GdBCO matrix (B//c) with increasing the doping content. Below 40 K, the in-field $J_c$ and $F_p$ values of all $Y_2O_3$-doped GdBCO films exhibited higher than those of undoped GdBCO film, suggesting that $Y_2O_3$ inclusions might act as effective pinning centers.

• Advances in environmental research
• /
• v.7 no.3
• /
• pp.213-223
• /
• 2018

Continuous input into the aquatic ecosystem and persistent structures have created concern of antibiotics, primarily due to the potential for the development of antimicrobial resistance. Degradation kinetics and mineralization of vancomycin B (VAN-B) by photocatalysis using $TiO_2$ and ZnO nanoparticles was monitored at natural pH conditions. Photocatalysis (PC) efficiency was followed by means of UV absorbance, total organic carbon (TOC), and HPLC results to better monitor degradation of VAN-B itself. Experiments were run for two initial VAN-B concentrations ($20-50mgL^{-1}$) and using two catalysts $TiO_2$ and ZnO at different concentrations (0.1 and $0.5gL^{-1}$) in a multi-lamp batch reactor system (200 mL water volume). Furthermore, a set of toxicity tests with Daphnia magna was performed to evaluate the potential toxicity of oxidation by-products of VAN-B. Formation of intermediates such as chlorides and nitrates were monitored. A rapid VAN-B degradation was observed in ZnO-PC system (85% to 70% at 10 min), while total mineralization was observed to be relatively slower than $TiO_2-PC$ system (59% to 73% at 90 min). Treatment efficiency and mechanism of degradation directly affected the rate of transformation and by-products formation that gave rise to toxicity in the treated samples.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society Of Semiconductor Equipment Technology
• /
• 2005.09a
• /
• pp.40-44
• /
• 2005

Catalytic performance of Co catalysts supported on MgO for the formation of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) Having 40-60 nm in diameter has been investigated through acetylene decomposition at $600^{\circ}C$. Scanning electron microscopy measurements show that the nanotubes are chain and coiled structures whereas x-ray diffraction patterns indicate the formation of MWCNTs with Co nanoparticles. In addition Raman spectra confirms the format ion of MWCNTs due to presence of characteristic radial breathing mode along with D and G bands.

• Journal of Nuclear Fuel Cycle and Waste Technology(JNFCWT)
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.15-26
• /
• 2017

Cobalt ferrocyanide (CoFC) or nickel ferrocyanide (NiFC) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were fabricated for efficient removal of radioactive cesium, followed by rapid magnetic separation of the absorbent from contaminated water. The $Fe_3O_4$ nanoparticles, synthesized using a co-precipitation method, were coated with succinic acid (SA) to immobilize the Co or Ni ions through metal coordination to carboxyl groups in the SA. CoFC or NiFC was subsequently formed on the surfaces of the MNPs as Co or Ni ions coordinated with the hexacyanoferrate ions. The CoFC-MNPs and NiFC-MNPs possess good saturation magnetization values ($43.2emu{\cdot}g^{-1}$ for the CoFC-MNPs, and $47.7emu{\cdot}g^{-1}$ for the NiFC-MNPs). The fabricated CoFC-MNPs and NiFC-MNPs were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, TEM, and DLS. The adsorption capability of the CoFC-MNPs and NiFC-MNPs in removing cesium ions from water was also investigated. Batch experiments revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity values were $15.63mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ (CoFC-MNPs) and $12.11mg{\cdot}g^{-1}$ (NiFC-MNPs). Langmuir/Freundlich adsorption isotherm equations were used to fit the experimental data and evaluate the adsorption process. The CoFC-MNPs and NiFC-MNPs exhibited a removal efficiency exceeding 99.09% for radioactive cesium from $^{137}Cs$ solution ($18-21Bq{\cdot}g^{-1}$). The adsorbent selectively adsorbed $^{137}Cs$, even in the presence of competing cations.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.302-306
• /
• 2009

9 kinds of nanoparticle used for this study was a particle with the size of less than 100 nm of diameter, and Artemia sp. cyst examined what kind of influence to have upon the process hatched out in nauplius. 82% hatched in nauplius at the opposition ward where a nanoparticle wasn't added after 24 time course. AGZ020, Nano silver, P-25, Sb and SnO nanoparticle showed hatching rate of 18%, 20%, 13%, 50% and 0% respectively by the 20mg/L density, and it became clear that a harmful effect is big, but I had a harmful effect compared with the opposition ward by 75%, 60%, 73% and 73% respectively by Ag-$TiO_2$, In, Sn and Zn nanoparticle, but a feeble thing was known relatively compared with AGZ020, Nano silver, P-25, Sb and SnO nanoparticle. The difference has caused this with the ingredient a nanoparticle has. Ag is included 2 % and AGZ020, Nano silver and P-25 nanoparticle are used widely as anti-fungus agent, and the SnO nanoparticle which became combination is a light catalyst pill, and oxygen is used for a Sn particle. This and others, a possibility that use is generalized and flows into aquatic environment in sequence the home electronics, functionality cosmetics, anti-fungus agent and a light catalyst pill at present becomes high for nanoparticles and others. The anxiety which has an influence on the ecology world in the water with this can be generated, so I'd have to study the potential danger a nanoparticle has continuously.